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The 2025 Work Programme of Horizon Europe has officially launched the call “A Research
Agenda for a Beautiful, Inclusive and Sustainable Transformation of Neighbourhoods”
(HORIZON-NEB-2025-01), one of the flagship initiatives of the New European Bauhaus
Facility (NEB). This cross-cutting EU instrument focuses on sustainable, aesthetic, and
inclusive transformation of the built environment.
Strategic Goals of the Call
This call is one of the European Commission’s main tools to bring the principles of the
European Green Deal into tangible changes on the ground by interlinking green transition,
social inclusion, and local democracy. It aims to promote:
 the experimentation of regenerative and circular models for the built environment;
 the development of innovative financing solutions and business models for
neighbourhood transformation;
 the creation of public spaces that are beautiful, sustainable, and accessible to all.
The total budget allocated is €118.68 million, equally divided between innovative
demonstration projects and fundamental research.
Eleven Topics for a More Sustainable and Inclusive Europe
As of 6 May 2025, 11 topics are open for proposals, structured around three strategic areas of
the Work Programme:

1. Connecting the Green Transition, Social Inclusion and Local Democracy
    PARTICIPATION01: The impact of common spaces on neighbourhood
   communities
    PARTICIPATION02: Strengthening the social fabric for the green transition in
   neighbourhoods
    PARTICIPATION03: Beautiful, sustainable and inclusive street furniture for
   neighbourhood transformation
    PARTICIPATION04: Network of neighbourhoods for innovative policies on
   gentrification
2. Circular and Regenerative Approaches for the Built Environment

 REGEN-01: Applying regenerative design to the built environment in
neighbourhoods
 REGEN-02: Biofabricated materials for sustainable and beautiful construction
 REGEN-03: Sufficiency measures in the built environment
 REGEN-04: Innovative approaches for sustainable, inclusive and beautiful social and
affordable housing

3. Innovative Funding and New Business Models for the Transformation of
   Neighbourhoods
    BUSINESS-01: Renovating the built environment through design for adaptability and
   disassembly
    BUSINESS-02: Bottom-up social entrepreneurship for the co-creation of NEB-
   aligned neighbourhoods
    BUSINESS-03: Reverse local construction supply chains for the beautiful re-assembly
   of reclaimed construction products
   The deadline for all submissions is 12 November 2025.
   Focus on Demonstration Projects
   Approximately €63 million, or half the total budget, is allocated to high-impact
   demonstration projects. These will serve as reference models to showcase different
   dimensions of the NEB approach. Key themes include:
    Regenerative design to restore urban ecosystems
    New solutions for social and affordable housing
    Sustainable renovation through design for adaptability and disassembly
    Urban furniture that combines aesthetics, inclusivity, and sustainability
   The NEB Facility: A Driver of Change
   Launched in 2021, the New European Bauhaus was created to translate the ambitions of the
   Green Deal into real change within communities. It has since become a cornerstone of the
   EU’s 2024–2029 policy agenda under the pillar “Supporting people, strengthening our
   societies and our social model.”
   The NEB Facility is structured around two main components:
    Research & Innovation (R&I) Component: Supports fundamental research,
   experimentation, and demonstration, with an annual budget of €120 million for
   2025–2027, integrated across Horizon Europe clusters.
    Roll-out Component: Aims to facilitate the uptake, further development, and wide
   dissemination of knowledge, methods, and technologies developed through the R&I
   component.
   An Opportunity for Researchers, Local Authorities and Innovators

This call presents a unique opportunity for universities, research centres, local
governments, innovative companies, and civil society organisations. Through co-creation,
experimentation, and implementation of tangible solutions, the EU aims to lead a new era of
urban design based on beauty, sustainability, and inclusiveness.

For full details and access to official documents, visit the EU Funding & Tenders Portal.

Written by: Margherita Genua